Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.
- Anthony Hernandez speaks on UFC Vancouver withdrawal: ‘I want to sincerely apologize’: Hopefully “Fluffy” is dealing with a relatively minor injury, because the division is much more exciting with him in the mix.
- Gable Steveson claims Craig Jones asked him to take a ‘dive’ at CJI 2, Craig fires back with old sexual assault allegations: Two men accusing the other of something bad. I find the latter more likely, personally.
- Sean O’Malley hopes Song Yadong fight rumors are true: ‘If that’s what’s next, hell yeah!’: Both men are Top 10 Bantamweights, exciting strikers, unbooked — why not?
Insomnia
With rare exceptions like last year’s Noche UFC card, it does feel like UFC has stopped promoting events until the literal week of the fight. Where’s the buildup? Does it feel like Alex Pereira is fighting again in three weeks?
Not a clip for those with sensitive stomachs, but I’m genuinely surprised we don’t see more on-camera vomits in the UFC. It happens backstage at regional shows pretty often, and UFC fighters are getting filmed/interviewed constantly.
This is an awesome Middleweight booking. Think “Robocop” tries to mix in a takedown or two?
You can see the inspiration in Khabib’s favorite picks.
I know he ended up getting knocked down and finished, but there were moments in round two where Jean Silva looked like a truly generational striker. His flow and timing are outrageous!
Forgot about Ilia Topuria vs. Terence Crawford, THIS is the real crossover super fight.
Molly McCann is a magnet for the front kick. Also, talk about a chill ref!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
This knockout makes me want to call 281-330-8004.
Absolute zero hesitation on this bulldog choke!
I’m not sure any amount of break fall practice would have helped here.
Random Land
An elegant bird.
Midnight Music: Alt. rock, 1993
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
